Graphical user interface for allocating multi-function resources in semiconductor wafer fabrication and method of operation

Abstract

A system and method is disclosed for allocating multi-function resources among a plurality of tasks within a process system in semiconductor wafer fabrication. A resource allocator allocates multi-function resources among tasks within a process system that executes at least one application process. The resource allocator comprises a monitoring controller, model of the process system, a resource allocation controller, and a graphical user interface. The graphical user interface transforms process system information of the resource allocator into an audio-visual format to enable supervisory interaction. In one embodiment the graphical user interface provides information to reduce load conflict among multiple furnaces in semiconductor wafer fabrication.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM TO PRIOR PATENT APPLICATIONS[0001]This patent application claims priority as a continuation in part patent application to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 299,949 filed on Nov. 19, 2002, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 408,817 filed on Sep. 6, 2002. The parent patent application is commonly owned by the assignee of the present patent application. The parent patent application is hereby incorporated by reference into the present patent application for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0002]The present invention is related to that disclosed in the following United States Non-Provisional Patent Application:[0003]U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 447,324, filed concurrently herewith, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ALLOCATING MULTI-FUNCTION RESOURCES FOR A WETDECK PROCESS IN SEMICONDUCTOR WAFER FABRICATION.” The above patent application is commonly assigned to the assignee of the prese...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0022]An exemplary monitoring controller monitors measurable characteristics associated with the executing application process, multi-function resources and related tasks, each of the measurable characteristics being one of a status characteristic and a logistical characteristic. An exemplary model represents mathematically the multi-function resources and the tasks, and defines relationships among related ones thereof as a function of the application process (e.g., one or more application processes, resources, tasks, etc.). An exemplary resource allocation controller operates the model in response to the monitored measurable characteristics and allocates ones of the multi-function resources among ones of the tasks within the process system to efficiently execute the at least one application process.

[0029]During the wetdeck process, meaning before, during and between execution of various wetdeck process plans, the resource allocation controller operates to modify ones of the mathematical representations in response to the status or logistical characteristic data. In a related embodiment, the resource allocator comprises a data repository having at least a knowledge database, and the resource allocator further operates to modify the knowledge database in response to changes to or the condition / value of the status and logistical characteristic data to thereby enable the resource allocator to be self-learning.

[0030]The graphical user interface of the present invention transforms wetdeck process system information of the resource allocator into an audio-visual format to enable supervisory interaction. In one advantageous embodiment the graphical user interface provides information to reduce load conflict among multiple furnaces during the process of semiconductor wafer fabrication.

Problems solved by technology

Such optimization efforts only account mathematically for the tasks being performed and the process resources then used to resolve the same based upon statistical characteristics only, thereby failing to model and factor into the optimization effort both status and logistical data, as well as to account for human capabilities and interaction (i.e., functions, skills, qualifications, task preferences, track records and the like) that ultimately utilize the process resources to resolve the tasks.

Conventional approaches can exhibit poor response to constantly changing or exigent circumstances, and as such fail to cooperatively optimize process resources, particularly process resources capable of performing multiple functions.

An error in batching will likely result in many wafers having to be scrapped.

The variation in the length of re-clean time windows makes the efficient management of wetdeck resources even more difficult.

In some cases, the opportunity for re-cleaning is not permitted at all.

In any event it is very costly to re-clean material when the re-clean time window requirement is exceeded.

The cost is due to the cost of chemicals, extra machine cycles, and the increased risk of processing errors and inappropriate batching.

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